Boris and Ursula have ill-fated dinner, UK bizarrely claims it’s the world vaccine winner, and in the single seat row things have rarely been grimmer.
This week we are sponsored by SGI Europe, more about them later on.
It was supposed to be the big Brexit Finale, the crunch point to end all crunch points, but in the end it was just another damp squib.
“I’ve seen this movie before…” tweeted Beatrice Rios.
I’ve seen this movie before… https://t.co/201Gzx5kdD
— Beatriz Ríos (@BeaRios_) December 9, 2020
If British PM Boris Johnson was in a good mood as he set off to Brussels for dinner with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he wasn’t by the time he headed home.
On my way to Brussels to meet @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen.
A good deal is still there to be done. But whether we agree trading arrangements resembling those of Australia or Canada, the United Kingdom will prosper mightily as an independent nation 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/6z1Tlr1ltI
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 9, 2020
Much was made of Boris’ dishevelled appearance.
In one photo, Britain and Europe. pic.twitter.com/B1lffKZoal
— James Barisic 🇭🇷 🇫🇷 🇪🇺 (@jamesmb) December 9, 2020
And the fact that fish was on the menu… Bruno Waterfield broke out ALL the puns
“Barnier says no plaice for compromise. You’re so shellfish complains Frost. Boris sells his sole. Thank cod, says VdL, we’re all just prawns in Macron’s game.”
Fish. I'd bet on it. Barnier says no plaice for compromise. Your're so shellfish complains Frost. Boris sells his sole. Thank cod, says VdL, we're all just prawns in Macron's game. Etc
— Bruno Waterfield (@BrunoBrussels) December 9, 2020
You get the picture.
Jack Parrock mused that “maybe they’d be eating their words?”
Maybe they’ll be eating their words? Or strawberry laces (red lines)? Perhaps a few of those herring the French want but the Brits don’t.
— Jack Parrock (@jackeparrock) December 9, 2020
And so it seems as both sides issued short to the point of terse statements.
We had a lively & interesting discussion on the state of play on outstanding issues.
We understand each other’s positions. They remain far apart, said VDL.
We had a lively & interesting discussion on the state of play on outstanding issues.
We understand each other’s positions. They remain far apart.
The teams should immediately reconvene to try to resolve these issues. We will come to a decision by the end of the weekend. pic.twitter.com/jG0Mfg35YX
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 9, 2020
This is diplomatese for “our positions were not even in the same zip code” said Richard N. Haass.
This is diplomatese for “our positions were not even in the same zip code” and it is looking like no deal unless the other side blinks. https://t.co/AzrRBABCtt
— Richard N. Haass (@RichardHaass) December 10, 2020
In the EU we don’t say: “Dinner was boring, we are not a good match” we say “We gained a clear understanding of each other’s positions. They remain far apart”. And I think it’s beautiful, added DG Meme.
In the EU we don't say: "Dinner was boring, we are not a good match" we say "We gained a clear understanding of each other's positions. They remain far apart". And I think it's beautiful. https://t.co/1VNh8pvq2D
— DG MEME 🇪🇺 (@meme_ec) December 10, 2020
This week we are supported by SGI Europe representing providers of Services of General Interest. This week they changed their name from CEEP to SGI Europe. To find out more about how Services of General Interest will be central to the post-COVID recovery, visit them online.
Farewell CEEP, Hello #SGIEUrope! Our name is changing, but our values remain the same! pic.twitter.com/x9GPwbV0mj
— SGI Europe (@SGI_Europe) December 8, 2020
On Tuesday Margaret Keenan became the first person in the world to receive a Covid-19 vaccine outside of trials.
Meet Maggie: the first person in the world to receive a fully-tested and approved Covid-19 vaccine on the NHS. pic.twitter.com/eb2ijTMSLW
— NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) December 8, 2020
But of course there was controversy as the British government once again managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
MP for Reading Alok Sharma, couldn’t help but beam with patriotic pride as he claimed that “In years to come, we will remember this moment as the day the UK led humanity’s charge against this disease.” While others dubbed it V-day.
The UK was the first country to sign a deal with Pfizer/BioNTech – now we will be the first to deploy their vaccine
To everyone involved in this breakthrough: thank you
In years to come, we will remember this moment as the day the UK led humanity’s charge against this disease
— Alok Sharma (@AlokSharma_RDG) December 2, 2020
Belgian PM Alexander de Croo was cool as a cucumber as he tweeted “Made in Europe.”
Made in Europe 🇪🇺 https://t.co/jQopbynrZk
— Alexander De Croo (@alexanderdecroo) December 8, 2020
That won’t convince the conspiracy theorists who believe a shadowy cabal of billionaires is trying to take over the world, Alex!
As Cornelius Mendez jokingly wondered how Bill Gates is going to spend his second day in control of Margaret Keenan, 90, from Coventry.
I wonder how Bill Gates is going to spend his second day in control of Margaret Keenan, 90, from Coventry.
— Cornelius Mendez (@ConMend) December 9, 2020
Finally this week it’s the Strasbourg single seat debacle all over again! Yes, I know it’s a bit like Groundhog Day, don’t blame me, blame 2020.
European Parliament President David Sassoli said he would go to Strasbourg to formally open the plenary session, but that all the MEPs would work remotely from Brussels or home.
J’ouvrirai la session plénière du @Europarl_FR lundi depuis notre siège à Strasbourg. Le reste de la session se déroulera à Bruxelles selon les règles actuellement en vigueur.
La ville de Strasbourg reste une des maisons du Parlement européen, où nous espérons revenir bientôt.
— David Sassoli (@EP_President) December 9, 2020
We are hitting a new level of absurdity with the two-seats drama, said Beatrice Rios.
European Parliament president to travel to Strasbourg to open the plenary session while the rest of the members participate from Brussels… or home. We are hitting a new level of absurdity with the two-seats drama. https://t.co/xNbQTRuwQE
— Beatriz Ríos (@BeaRios_) December 9, 2020
MEP Assistant said Sassoli attending the plenary from Strasbourg on his own is the equivalent of someone jumping on a grenade to save his pals.
Or just plain weird.
Sassoli attending on his own the plenary from Strasbourg is the equivalent of someone jumping on a grenade to save his pals.
Or it's just weird.#Eplenary https://t.co/aDJk0Ye23I— mepassistant (@mepassistants) December 9, 2020
I’m going with, weird.
I know that politics is about symbols, but should we congratulate ourselves on symbols when they are so ridiculous? Asked Jean-François Gérard.
Je sais que la politique c’est aussi des symboles, mais faut il se féliciter des symboles quand ils sont ridicules ? Il sera seul dans son bureau et s’en ira après avoir parlé… #wtf https://t.co/Znf9eG8JCZ
— Jean-François Gérard (@jeanfrancgerard) December 9, 2020
Michiel van Hulten is just incredulous: The President of the European Parliament is travelling to Strasbourg *by himself* to open a ghost plenary session, and will then travel back to Brussels for the actual work. All because France can’t accept the world has moved on. Madness.
The President of the European Parliament is travelling to Strasbourg *by himself* to open a ghost plenary session, and will then travel back to Brussels for the actual work. All because France can't accept the world has moved on. Madness. https://t.co/407nd5lu24
— Michiel van Hulten (@mvanhulten) December 9, 2020
That’s what one would call a ‘non-essential trip’ quipped Christoph Schmidt.
That's what one would call a 'non-essential trip'. https://t.co/Bht43rrqD2
— Christoph Schmidt (@trouwschmidt) December 9, 2020
That’s it for this week. Join me next Friday for a special wrap up of the year, as we look back on the highlights – ha! – of 2020.